Bernardo Silva has slammed the fixture congestion for footballers as “completely crazy”.
The Manchester City midfielder played 49 times in all competitions for the club last season, according to Transfermarkt, while also taking part in internationals and Euro 2024 with Portugal.
Champions League clubs will now play more games as a result of the changes to the competition, while Silva has been left angry with the news that City will have just two days between their clash with Arsenal and Carabao Cup tie against Watford.
“The schedule is completely crazy. We’ve just received the news that we only have one day off for the League Cup game,” he said.
“We’ll probably play every three days for months. It’s been absolutely absurd.
“In the Champions League, if you don’t qualify for the round of 16 you still have to play two more games.
“It’s true that the squads are bigger, but I’m not going to say that it’s easy. It hasn’t been easy. I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we’re subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
It comes after a recent report from players’ union FIFPRO highlighted concerns over “excessive workload” for footballers.
FIFPRO Acting General-Secretary Stephane Burchkalter said: “We are calling on football’s governing bodies to urgently intervene and establish regulations and collective procedures that protect player welfare.
“The physical and mental well-being of players must be a priority if we want to maintain the integrity of the game. The cannibalisation of the competition calendar is pushing players beyond their limits and is encroaching on their private lives.
“We need safeguards for players to limit their travel, ensure rest periods, and provide adequate recovery so they can reach peak performance.”
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